SOCHI, Russia – Canada’s National Sledge Team will take to the ice tomorrow to open the sledge hockey tournament at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, which began today with the Opening Ceremony in Sochi.

Canada faces Sweden in Saturday’s Paralympic opener, and will also face the Czech Republic and Norway in preliminary round action in Group A. Italy, Korea, Russia and the United States comprise Group B. The semifinals are set for March 13, with the bronze medal and gold medal games scheduled for March 15.

Canada has played 13 games in the 2013-14 season, posting an 11-2 record. The Canadians won a gold medal at the 2013 4 Nations Tournament in Sochi, and at the 2013 World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Toronto, Ont.

In five appearances at the Paralympic Winter Games, Canada has played for a medal every time; it won gold in 2006, silver in 1998 and bronze in 1994, and finished fourth in 2002 and 2010.

NOTE TO MEDIA – Keegan Goodrich, Hockey Canada’s coordinator of media relations, is on-site with Canada’s National Sledge Team and can assist with any media interview requests. He can be reached at kgoodrich@hockeycanada.ca .